Plenty of questions entering Bears’ preseason opener

Thursday

Aug 7, 2014 at 3:58 PMAug 7, 2014 at 3:58 PM

By Jay TaftRockford Register Star

Even before they were hit with a couple of big-time distractions this week, the Chicago Bears had plenty of questions that they hope will be answered in tonight’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

And now, they have even more.

“No. 1 is we’ve got to see all of them be assignment-right, fundamental-right, technique-right, and to be able to do their job in another kind of situation,” second-year head coach Marc Trestman said. “We’ll see. I think we’re all excited to play against another opponent, somebody other than ourselves.

“And, we have a lot to work out.”

The Bears will most likely be without several key starters, including tight end Martellus Bennett (still on suspension), at least two of the starters on the offensive line and a slew of defensive backs who are still banged up. But the starters will most likely only play a quarter or so anyway, and these games are more about filling out the roster and building the team’s depth.

“For a lot of us guys, these are it. These preseason games are our one and only chance to really prove we belong,” wide receiver Josh Morgan said Wednesday, one day after the team lost its No. 3 wideout, Marquess Wilson, to a broken collarbone. “It’s time for the guys who are fighting for their jobs to step up. If you can’t do your job and look good out there in these games, I don’t think you belong.”

Here are a few of the biggest questions headed in should be answered the quickest.

1) How will the new defense — first-stringers and beyond — begin to unfold?

The Bears will most likely have seven new starters on the defensive side, at least for tonight’s game, and they will be looking for drastic improvements. The team that ended up as the worst against the run last season may, just find that to be one of their strengths this year. Defensive ends Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young and tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton are all new to the team.

“Words can’t describe it, man,” Sutton said of his excitement level. “It doesn’t even feel like preseason to me.”

2) Time to find role players

Kick and punt returner, backup running back, third wide receiver, second-string tight end are among the many holes to be filled before the Sept. 7 season opener against Buffalo. Also, the Bears need to find out who is going to be the other linebackers next to Lance Briggs, and what safety tandem will start. So far in camp they’ve used seven difference safety combinations.

3) Is this team’s backup QB on current roster?

Will it be Jimmy Clausen, Jordan Palmer or someone completely different? With what the Bears have been through with their No. 2 QBs the past few years, they had better be paranoid when it comes to choosing from this crop. If Clausen has been humbled by his experiences in Carolina, he will win the job. But will he be good enough if Jay Cutler goes down for any length of time?

“I know I can be (the guy),” Clausen said, “but I’m not alone. I just have to prove it, starting with (tonight).”

4) Is all the turmoil with Martellus Bennett behind them?

The Bears have been through a lot lately, and it’s taken a toll. They lost about a half hour’s worth of practice on Monday and the camp chemistry was thrown out of whack for a bit when Bennett lost his temper and got into a fight with first-round pick Kyle Fuller. Now the team’s best tight end since Mike Ditka has to straighten up before he returns from an indefinite suspension. Things have calmed down already, and hopefully Bennett realizes he needs to know when to keep his mouth shut and just play football.

While it doesn’t really matter when they win or lose the game, it does matter whether they win or lose the battles. One by one, the Bears’ brass will find out who belongs in the NFL — at least in Chicago’s version of it — and who doesn’t, starting with tonight.